Mysterious Ribbon

[Demianthedog]

Attached is a pic of a ribbon from a bar in an earlier thread. It was assessed and determined to be a faded EK2 ribbon. I removed and examined it. It's not a faded EK2 as there is no trace of red, the color is a gold tone. Is it german? I can't seem to find it. Any clues?

Thanks again!

[Demianthedog]

Reverse

Sorry for the poor quality, my camera is a p.o.s.

[Airborne Nut]

Demian, why did you remove the ribbon?

I concur it looks like a Faded EK2 ribbon. Some dyes used over time given certain environmental conditons can change color, in this case a turn to gold which I suspect was the chemical used to give the ribbon it's shiny appearance, as the red dye faded this particular chemical faded less quickly leaving you with this interresting color. One thing is for sure, it was not the only ribbon made with this process, find others that look identical and you will have your answer. Where was this ribbon located on the ribbon bar? In the EK2 position at the head of the pack?

Just my 2 cents, but it still looks like a faded EK2 ribbon to me.

-Shane

[Demianthedog]

It was in the 2nd to last position. It is definitely a golden color on both sides. It's faded on the exposed side but glossy on the reverse.

[Airborne Nut]

Rick Research may be able to help. Give him a holler, but I wouldn't show that you removed the ribbon from the bar.

-Shane

[landsknechte]

I'm guessing it's an EK2 ribbon that changed colors due to chemically unstable dyes. Certain colors seem to do that more than others, and shades of red seem to be the most prevalent from what I've seen.

--Chris

[Chris Taylor]

There was a maker of RK & EK's who's ribbons were this redish-orange in color (as opposed to the red of most). I believe it was the firm of Loy that made this type of ribbon.

No matter what, this is an EK2 ribbon & nothing else. The only ribbon that was worn on ribbon bars & closely resembles the 1939 EK2 ribbon is the WW1 Prussian Red Cross ribbon, which has red stripes along the edges, but this aint one.

Here is a photo of a bar w/the Red Cross ribbon in 2nd position.

[Demianthedog]

Removed?!

Rick Research may be able to help. Give him a holler, but I wouldn't show that you removed the ribbon from the bar.

-Shane

Thanks Shane, thanks everyone,

I removed the ribbon to look at the back to see if, in fact, that it was just faded. But the color is actually brighter underneath and the threads on the cut edges maintain this golden hue. Perhaps it is a chemical reaction to something but I question the originality of this ribbon and it's position on the 6 place bar is second from last on the right of viewer's perspective.

James

[landsknechte]

I think it's a lot more likely to be a normal EK2 on a ribbon bar that's been monkied with, than some hitherto unknown ribbon.

What else is on that bar?

--Chris

[Demianthedog]

Ribbon order is 1939 EK2, KVK2, Sudantenland, Long service, **mystery ribbon** and eastern front.

[landsknechte]

Ribbon order is 1939 EK2, KVK2, Sudantenland, Long service, **mystery ribbon** and eastern front.

Given that the Ostfront is also out of place, I'm even more inclined to think that this one's been altered.

--Chris

[Brian R]

Given that the Ostfront is also out of place, I'm even more inclined to think that this one's been altered.

--Chris

Chris makes a good point. One thing to point out though... the pinkish color is not always necessarily a sign of fading. I have a mounted Schinkel EK2 with pink ribbon. The color is exactly the same underneath - where the color has not been exposed. It may be chemical reaction that occurred over the years or it may have been produced that way from the start.

Brian